NTChrono8

Chronology of the New Testament

Lesson #8

DATE

ROME

JUDEA

NEW TESTAMENT

Nero continues his descent into the insanity that brings his downfall. His ineptitude as a ruler is becoming more apparent. His extravagance plays havoc with the finances of the Empire. He manufactures reasons to kill wealthy men and confiscate their property. He surrounds himself with disreputable careerists and dubious characters and treats the Senate with a heavy hand. Seneca, who has mediated matters between the Senate and the Emperor, is ousted from politics by Nero. Seneca had endured enough of Nero's conduct, and even his poetry, but makes the mistake of criticizing Nero. Seneca will live his last three years in seclusion. Burrus, the prefect of the imperial Guard dies in 62 and is replaced by Tigellinus, a brutal and ambitious man. Turning over many matters of Empire to others, such as Tigellinus, Nero tries his hand as a sports hero, charioteer and opera singer. Despite his slight ability in these areas, he is a huge success because no one dares best him nor speak ill of his efforts. Nero divorces Octavia for `barrenness' and marries Poppaea. Poppaea then convinces Nero that Octavia plans to marry another man and by some revolution place him on Nero's throne. Nero has his agents behead Octavia; her head is then brought by them to Poppaea for their reward. Octavia is 22 years old at her death.
Now 25 years old, the degenerate Nero has a large paunch, weak, slender limbs, a fat face, blotched skin, dull gray eyes, and curly yellow hair. His excesses are telling.

Festus dies and is replaced by Albinus as Governor of Judea. Albinus is brutal and greedy, the type of government official that suited Tigellinus. His cruelty fans the flames of rebellion among the Jews, soon to spread throughout the empire. Albinus takes every opportunity to fill the imperial treasury as well as his own. After two years, his success earns him a promotion to governor of Mauritania, northwest Africa.

Paul arrives in Rome around the last of March or first of April in 61, taking five to six months in travel. He stays in his own rented house, Acts 28:16, and is a prisoner for two whole years (vs. 30), until late spring of 63 AD.

Paul writes four letters during his first imprisonment, the first being Philippians, written in summer or fall of 62. He is uncertain at this point as to what will happen to him, (2:23), unlike more definite plans revealed in the later prison epistles. Paul is grateful for the help Philippi has sent, and speaks of false brethren who are trying to cause him harm, although some of Caesar's household are converted, (4:22). (See also 1:13).

Luke's life of Jesus is also writ-ten in 62, followed by Acts in 63. )See Luke 1:3-4 and Acts 1:1). Seeing that the honorific "most excellent Theophilus" is a title used only to address high ranking Roman officials, the recipient of Luke's writings and is probably a high official of the Roman government in 'Caesar household.' Luke is with Paul during the imprisonment, Col. 4:14.

In the early spring of 63, Paul writes Ephesians, Colossians and Phllemon at the same time, in that order. They are delivered by Tychius, Eph 6:21, Col. 4:7. By now, Paul is sure he will be released. (Phile. 22, Col. 4:7-9). After Paul's release from prison, he writes Hebrews. (13:23-24).

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